Hmong Community Gardeners create their own farmers market

**"Bill Maynard" b*@WoodRodgers.com**

Hmong Community Gardeners create their own farmers market

The FEED program was created to provide a farmers market for an
underserved area of Sacramento; underserved by not having fresh produce
in the area, no large markets, and no farmers market in the low income
area.  So a group organized and found vacant private properties for the
Hmong growers to farm.  A total of 4 acres was found, planted and now
the harvest begins.  This last weekend the farmers market opened at a
city community center parking lot.  Tables full of produce from 6 Hmong
growers from the sites (sold bitter melon, pumpkin vine, and other
produce from their homelands as well as strawberrieser)  and 2 local
organic farmers (who sold fruit and other produce that the Hmong growers
did not grow) ....95% of the produce at the market was sold by the end
of the day.  organic principles are in place and no pesticides are used
at the sites.

We also have the electronic EBT cards (food stamps) table for those that
needed to use it.. wireless phones provide the connection to the
booth....a first in the city as no other farmers markets offer that.

This was the first offering of the produce which will serve as a 2 week
trial period before the grand opening will July 23,  which will get more
visitors as the word travels.  The market will be open Saturdays 8-12...
everyone bought bags of produce and commented on how great if was to
have a farmers market in the area.

It is the goal of the FEED program to provide fresh food to this area of
sacramento and to offer farming opportunities for the Hmong growers in
the area.  We are looking for more sites as we have a waiting list of
Hmong growers that want to get involved.

Bill Maynard

ACGA board member - Sacramento

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